Roll Call Tribute

John B. Vittrup, Sr.
May 27, 1930 – July 31, 2022

John Vittrup, Sr., age 92, passed away quietly in his sleep on July 31, 2022 in Bryan, Texas.

John was a graduate of Texas A&M, Class of ’51 with a Bachelor of Science and Mechanical Engineering and later received his Master’s Degree in Computer Science. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets, commanded an outfit, and was a trombone player in the Fighting Texas Aggie Band.

After graduation he joined the Air Force as an officer and served as a flight engineer on the B-36 Peacemaker. He would then marry the love of his life, Joline, in February 1955. After leaving the Air Force he began a career in engineering for a number of large engineering firms.

He had always dreamed of teaching and later decided to return to Bryan/College Station to become an Associate Professor at Texas A&M in the Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution Department. While there he helped bring robotics into the Engineering Department curriculum. He then moved to San Marcos, Texas and took a position at Texas State University (TSU), formerly Southwest Texas State University (SWT), and helped them develop their Engineering Technology Department.

After retiring from teaching at SWT, John and his wife Joline moved back to Bryan where he volunteered by teaching computers to senior citizens and later volunteered at Brazos Valley Hospice following his wife’s passing. John and his wife Joline were also a long time active member of Central Baptist Church and supported various church activities, was a member of the Blue Lodge of AF&AM Masons, and the local Lions Club. He also loved singing, even though he admitted he didn’t sing very well; and was a member of the Barber Shop Quartet.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Otto Vittrup and William (Bill) Vittrup, and his sister Helen Ruth Barton, his wife Joline Vittrup, and his son Jeff Vittrup.

He is survived by two sons: James (Jim) Vittrup of College Station, and John, Jr. (Brad) and his wife Deanna Vittrup of La Plata, MD; four grandchildren: Meghan (Chris) White, Amy (Alex) Black, Trent (Kendra) Vittrup, and Kendall Vittrup; and six great-granddaughters: Madelyn , Rei, Emily, Ellis, Rosalie, and Drew.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bluebonnet Hospice in College Station, Texas.

A Memorial Visitation for John will be held Friday, August 5, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Chapel, 1515 South College Avenue, Bryan, Texas 77801.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialfuneralchapelbryan.com for the Vittrup family.